[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 141 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TAIWAN NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 2015

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of the upcoming 
National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on October 10, 2015.
  The relationship between our two great countries has been long and 
prosperous, and will continue long into the future. During WWII, the 
Republic of China helped the allied forces defeat Japanese troops and 
ultimately win the war. In 1954, Taiwan signed the Sino-American Mutual 
Defense Treaty, which ensured peace in the Taiwan Strait and allowed 
for continued Taiwanese development. Later, the Taiwan Relations Act 
(TRA), passed in 1979, guaranteed the future for a prosperous 
relationship.
  Since that time, Taiwan has continued to be a strong security and 
trade partner to the U.S. America has provided Taiwan with $18.3 
billion in arms sales over the past seven years. In May 2015, the U.S. 
Congress passed initiatives aimed at increasing U.S.-Taiwan military 
exchanges, including participation in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise.
  On the trade front, Taiwan has not only become one of the leading 
economies in the Asia-Pacific region, but the entire world. Taiwan is 
America's tenth largest trading partner and America is Taiwan's third 
largest trading partner after China and Japan. Taiwan has even been 
named the third best country to invest in and the U.S. is Taiwan's 
largest foreign investor.
  In addition to being a strong trading partner, Taiwan has emerged as 
a responsible participant in the international market and an active 
member of prominent international organizations. Taiwan has been an 
outstanding member since becoming a member of the World Trade 
Organization in 2002. In 2008, the WTO Committee on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures elected Lo Chang-fa, a professor specializing 
in international trade at National Taiwan University, to serve on its 
Permanent Group of Experts panel. Later that same year, Taiwan became a 
member of the Agreement on Government Procurement. These steps in the 
WTO show how the world has recognized Taiwan as a leading economy.
  In January 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) made 
arrangements for Taiwan to become a party to the International Health 
Regulations.
  This has enabled the Taiwanese to have direct contact with the WHO 
and gives it access to firsthand information on public health 
emergencies of international concern. Moreover, the WHO can dispatch 
personnel to provide assistance during any future health crisis in 
Taiwan.
  Given Taiwan's proven track record of being a reliable member in 
international bodies, we should encourage more international 
participation by Taiwan. For example, given that criminals do not care 
about boundaries separating countries, it is critical that nations are 
able to share information on criminals and suspicious activity with 
each other, but Taiwan cannot do that because it is not yet a member of 
INTERPOL. Taiwan should be granted observer status in INTERPOL as soon 
as possible.
  It is critical that the United States and Taiwan maintain and enhance 
their present relationship. From rising insecurity in the region to 
economic challenges the world over, our two countries need to face the 
future arm in arm. I congratulate Taiwan on its National Day and look 
forward to many more years of a close partnership.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________